Aboriginal literacy rates
Literacy rates among Aboriginal people generally are very low and lowest in remote communities. Reasons include low literacy of the parents and poor school attendance.
Initiatives like the Accelerated Literacy Program try to bring literacy to a similar level to that of their non-Aboriginal peers.
Many Aboriginal students struggle to do their homework in a quiet environment.
Many Aboriginal families live in overcrowded houses basically not suitable for homework.
Photo: scol22, www.sxc.hu
Think: When we talk about 'literacy' we assume we mean literacy of the written word. Bear in mind though that many Aboriginal people were, and are, masters of oral literacy.
Literacy rates among Aboriginal people generally are very low and lowest in remote communities. Across Australia in 2004, 83% of Aboriginal students and 93% of students overall achieved the literacy benchmark for year 3. But in the Northern Territory, only 20% of Aboriginal students achieved the benchmark. [1] Less than 30% of children tested for literacy in Years 3, 5 and 7 were able to read or write properly [2] leaving them with numeracy and literacy skills of five-year olds when they leave school [3].
Low literacy prevents Aboriginal students from entering higher education and universities.
One reason for these low levels is that the students' parents often left the school system without basic literacy and numeracy skills, providing the children with a low-literate home environment [1]. Consequently parents cannot support their children's learning, and the cycle of illiteracy continues.
Traumas from the history of Stolen Generations left some parents deeply suspicious of western institutions, including schools, and they simply refuse to enrol their children.
I wanted to go to school but my parents told me, 'No they might take you away for good.' And they ran away in the bush. —Bonny Tucker, Punjima woman, Western Australia [4]. She refers to the Native Welfare taking away Aboriginal children of mixed descent.
Another reason is that about 20% of compulsory school-age Indigenous kids (2008 NT figures) were not enrolled in school and many of those enrolled did not attend school regularly [2].
Australia's system of public education can never be called a success until Aboriginal Australians benefit from it as much as any other citizens.—Rupert Murdoch, 2008 Boyer Lecture
"People hated me for that"
Low literacy rates do not stem from Aboriginal people being unable to learn. The opposite is the case, as the following memory from Professor and Nyoongar Elder Joan Winch tells us [5]:
"One advantage for Aboriginal people is that we didn't have a written language so many of us didn't learn to read and write, but we all have wonderful memories and that allowed me to sit in class, not do any homework, and still come out at the top of the class. People hated me for that..."
Literacy programs
Specific programs aim to improve Aboriginal students' literacy levels.
Show Me The Way
Show Me The Way was launched in 2010 as Australia's first national online mentoring and social networking program for Aboriginal students [6].
Role model videos tell the stories of Aboriginal men and women who have become successful in their professions and trades through good education.
The website is www.showmetheway.org.au.
Accelerated Literacy Program
Professors at the Charles Darwin University in Alice Springs have developed the Accelerated Literacy Program which has been introduced into schools in the NT, WA, SA and QLD. The program aims to accelerate the literacy development of students so that they have a similar level to that of their peers of the same age. Students are presented with tasks beyond their ability but are supported by a skilful teacher who knows how to teach the skills they need to solve the task.
In a school of around 400 students 41% were more than 18 months behind their age level in reading. After just 12 months of Accelerated Literacy, their individual reading levels increased by a minimum of 1.6 years. The largest gain was 2.8 years. [2]
Book by Aboriginal students. During the
Cherbourg Early Years Literacy Project in a remote Aboriginal
community eight students wrote and illustrated a small book which they then produced using computers.
The project involved many teachers and elders who gave advice on language and content. The project is an example of successful education
involving many of the community.
Out of respect for Aboriginal culture I use Indigenous sources as much as possible.
[1] Koori Mail 385, p.60
[2] 'NT data paints a grim picture', Koori Mail 430 p.7
[3] 'Mobile pre-schools seen as NT solution', Koori Mail 430 p.55
[4] 'Karijini Mirlimirli', Noel Olive, Fremantle Arts Centre Press 1997 p.102
[5] 'Women talk leadership', Koori Mail 431 p.17
[6] 'Web site shows the way', Koori Mail 515 p.36